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17 April 2023
April Edition of ASC Practice Newsletter
We are delighted that this month we kick off the newsletter celebrating some of the great practice there is across our teams and the national recognition of two of our colleagues.
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 We have an 'Amazing Social Worker' in our midst
Congratulations to Kezia who was nominated as an Amazing Social Worker and has received recognition from BASW!
She was nominated by David Gribbon: "I am nominating Kezia because she is an amazing Social Worker. She has provided an outstanding level of service to a person who had been stuck in a mental health hospital for many years and had been there unnecessarily for a period of time..." read the full nomination here
Anna Ridofolo Service Manager, Learning Disabilities, said: "Within the LD Service we fully concur with this view and are so pleased to have Kez working with us. She is committed and dedicated to the people she supports, and is a highly valued and respected member of the team."
 And a Rising Star
Clare Newman has been commended in the MJ Achievement Awards 2023 for the category ‘Rising Star’. The awards cover all areas of local government, not just adult social care.
Kate Concannon, Principal Social Worker with colleagues made the nomination, she said: I am delighted that the Judges recognised how Clare consistently goes above and beyond, and contributes to our service and staff development. Her passion for Trauma Informed Practice is making a real impact in Southampton."
Clare has been with Southampton City Council since 2016. Starting as an Independence Advisor in our Community Independence Team beginning the Social Work degree apprenticeship in 2019. Clare received a First-Class degree and a Distinction in the apprenticeship.
Clare said: "I am actually feeling quite overwhelmed and very emotional to read all the lovely comments people have made. I am really proud to be a Social Worker, and was very grateful to have the opportunity to complete the Social Worker Degree Apprenticeship."
Star of the month goes to Elaine Wong
She’s a real star and worked hard in a challenging environment and does a great job of upholding the social work voice in mental health.
Elaine’s enthusiasm and willingness to learn is truly commendable.
Elaine is an amazing practitioner in supporting the team when duty has needed it and goes beyond and above her job.
Well done, Elaine!
Read some of the other great feedback we have received this month
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Theory of the Month - Shame Theory
Nathanson says that shame is a critical regulator of human social behaviour. It can occur any time our experience of positive emotions like joy, excitement or pleasure is interrupted. This means you don’t have to do something wrong to feel shame. Victims of crime can feel a sense of shame, even though the offender committed the ‘shameful’ act.
Equally those who have experienced trauma in their lives can also feel a sense of shame. Given the powerful feelings of shame and stigmatisation that many we work with may experience, the compass of shame can help social workers understand the behaviours displayed by some of the people we work with.
This theory outlines the four styles of coping with the feelings of shame. The compass (pictured) suggests that people respond to shame either through fight or flight around which the four poles within the compass are created
More information about this theory can be found on the ‘research in practice’ website - The-compass-os-shame.pdf (rip.org.uk), and through Siobhan Maclean’s webinar ‘Shame: the theory base’ on YouTube - SHAME The theory base: Too often ignored in social work? Social work student connect webinar 12 - YouTube
Safeguarding
Safeguarding Adults Board spotlight
The Southampton Safeguarding Adults Board would like to raise awareness by shining a spotlight on key topics. This month it is highlighting some resources available around Self-neglect and Fraud and Scamming.
Visit the SSAB website to see the One Minute Guide, 4LSAB Learning Briefing and Guidance on responding to self-neglect and persistent welfare concerns.
Making Safeguarding Personal Practice
Visit the Research in Practice website for tools and resources to support Making Safeguarding Personal Practice.
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New online forms for referrals
Connect is making improvements to its referral pathways and processes. From April 17 we will be using online forms to submit referrals.
This is the start of moving towards all new adult social care related contacts and adult safeguarding concerns being submitted using these forms, which can be found at
Adult Social Care assessment referral form (southampton.gov.uk)
Safeguarding referral - professionals
We have ensured that the new process is no longer nor complex than emailing.
We will be switching the email account off after a period of transition. From now on please do not share the email address adultsocialcareconnect@southampton.gov.uk as a method to contact Southampton Adult Social Care. Please could you also check if it features on any webpages you are responsible for, email signs offs or resources you have and plan for its removal/replace with the weblink.
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Care Director - Support Plans
VAT - When working out the estimated cost of a support plan you do not need to include VAT (with the exception of some direct payment clients, please refer to training). All our budgeting and forecasting is done using values without VAT, and the amount you see on service provisions does not include VAT. (If providers charge us VAT, CareDirector knows and will add VAT to their payments in the background).
Updating Support Plans – Please can all practitioners ensure once funding is approved and signed off by a Service Manager that a new review and support plan is opened and completed if further funding is required. The information should largely pull through from your previous assessment/review so this is not too time intensive. Please do not over write or add to a support plan where funding has already been agreed. This ensures there is a clear audit and evidence trail of changes in an individuals care and support needs, and funding agreements.
 Election accessible format resources
The ‘My Vote My Voice’ campaign is on a mission to encourage people with learning disabilities and autism to vote at elections. Download 'My Voice, My Vote' campaign resources
The Electoral Commission has also created resources in a variety of accessible formats that can be downloaded and shared to support people with specific access needs to meet the new Voter ID requirement.
Quick reminder - Executive Director Briefings
Please remember to book your place on the ambitious futures briefings with Claire Edgar if you haven't already.
The in person events are:
Tuesday 18 April 15:30 to 16:30 – Conference Room 3 & 4 Book a place (note limited spaces due to room capacity)
Wednesday 19 April 14:30 to 15:30 – Jane Austen Lecture Theatre, Solent University *note a slightly later start time. Book a place
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